Tuesday 25 September 2012

Bee in my Bonnet Row Along - Rows 2 and 3


Hurray! I've caught up with the Row Along Quilt over at Bee in my Bonnet at last!
Although there is only one row every two weeks, I missed Row 2 when I was holiday, and I really wanted to get up to date so I've spent the past couple of days doing rows 2 and 3.
I find it so relaxing just following instructions sitting with the laptop next to my sewing machine, but I have to admit I'm not used to working on such a small scale as these tiny blocks.
The squares for the easy triangles in both rows were just 1 1/2" square.
 
There were 44 of the little blighters to rotary cut and draw diagonal lines on for Row 2 and 48 for Row 3! To be honest I didn't mind the cutting and marking. It was the sewing that I found rather challenging. If your accuracy is not quite 100% on, say, 4" blocks, you can usually fudge the piecing and make them line up (or is it just me that does this?). But with really tiny blocks there is no room for fudging!
The seam ripper has been put to good use over the last few days... first, the butterfly row ended up too long! Lori told us to measure the completed blocks before joining them.... and I did! No, I hang my head in shame - I measured the first butterfly block I completed... I got too complacent after that, so it serves me right that I had to undo quite a few of them!
They did all fit second time round, and when they got their borders added and I placed the row next to row 1....
..... I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.
I carried straight onto Row 3, feeling quietly confident as the tutorial said it was only a filler row - one that could be done in an afternoon. Well, yes, I did manage it in an afternoon - first time round! Again, accuracy was my problem. I've been very selective about which bit of the row I photographed here! - no, that's not cheating... it's just called saving face! I had to bring out the seam ripper again, and I know I'm not going to have an easy task when we come to put these rows together, because the top and bottom edges of this row are definitely not straight.
Once again, I've learned a lot by doing this Row Along. I've learned I need to slow down and sew more accurately when working small scale. I'm rising to the challenge though. I'm actually looking forward to row 4 already.

6 comments:

  1. Love the sweet colors you are using:)

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  2. Thank you :) They happened purely by chance really. I think they were top of the pile when I raided my scraps!

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  3. Hi there, I've just hopped over from Pauline's House on the Hill as she mentioned you were doing the Row Along - and am delighted to find another crafty blogger and Row Along-er in my neck of the woods! Have to confess I took ages on Row 2 and made fairly good use of my seam-ripper too, but aren't these little butterflies just so sweet once they're all done? Love your pretty bright fabrics too. I look forward to following you & comparing notes!
    Please pop over and say hello some time when you have a moment too,
    Happy Wednesday,
    xx

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  4. Wow Gilly, we are practically neighbours!Love your blog. I shall be visiting it often :)

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  5. Hey,

    This is shaping up to be a great quilt.
    I'm quite new to sewing and don't quite have the patience or precision for cutting all those little bits of fabric.

    I'm a new follower, hope you pop by to visit,
    Sarabeth
    Life of an Agnostic Sunday School Teacher

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  6. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I'm following you right back :)

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